VISION IS THE THEME OF THIS ISSUE, INSPIRED BY THE
VISIONARY WORK OF SO MANY OF OUR AICI MEMBERS OVER
THE PAST 25 YEARS. FROM OUR FOUNDERS TO NEW CHAPTERS,
NEW ALLIANCES, NEW EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, NEWLY
CERTIFIED MEMBERS, AND AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
REIMAGINED FROM THE GROUND UP, THE YEAR HAS BEEN FULL
OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. BEHIND EACH AWARD BESTOWED AT
CONFERENCE LIES A STORY OF VISION AND SERVICE. HATS OFF AND
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!
With this issue, I’m excited to announce a new recurring feature of
the magazine, developed as a marketing tool for you to share with
your current and future clients. The Master Insights section is
designed to highlight the important role you, the AICI image professional, play in helping your clients, corporate or individual, achieve
success. Over the coming months, our AICI Certified Image Masters
are stepping forward to discuss key concerns that prompt our prospective clients to seek us out. We hope Master Insights will be useful in emphasizing the value you bring to your work as an AICI image
professional. Link to the articles in your newsletter, on your website,
and in social media. You also can print out copies and use them in
your mailings or in-person presentations.
The newly minted editorial team also steps on board with this issue. I
am so grateful for their help and enthusiasm, and am looking forward
to working closely with each of them.
To say that the 2015 AICI Global Conference was enriching and exciting and exceeded all my expectations is an understatement. In these
pages we have merely scratched the surface of what attendees experienced in Washington, D.C. If you were not able to attend this year, I
hope you set your sights on 2017 in Mexico City.
SEE YOU THERE!
Susan Hesselgrave, AICI FLC
Editor in Chief

ision: the ability to think about or plan the future with
imagination or wisdom! Our AICI founders had a vision of
creating a world-class association for image professionals.
Cecilia Stoeckicht, our international VP of Conference, had a vision of reigniting our members’ enthusiasm for Conference. Riet
de Vlieger, our past VP of Chapter Relations, had a vision of educational bodies and associations having access to our world-class
certification programs, and I had a vision that AICI could become
the ultimate voice in championing that we are all beautiful no matter our shape, size, sex, creed or color.

LETTER
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
“ACTION WITHOUT
VISION IS ONLY
PASSING TIME,
VISION WITHOUT
ACTION IS MERELY
DAY DREAMING.
BUT VISION WITH
ACTION CAN CHANGE
THE WORLD.”

For those of us who were lucky enough to attend the global
conference in Washington, D.C., we heard consistently from our
incredible keynote speakers, Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, Howard
Roberts, Sue Donnelly and Sarah Brummitt, that many individuals, companies and image professionals have given themselves
the green light to change their vision in order to reflect the world
we live in today. We learned that having a vision helps us see first
within ourselves and then allows us to share with others our biggest ideas and tell our stories. It’s our stories that inspire our clients and audiences. Without vision, it’s difficult for us to develop a
good strategy or roadmap to move forward.
Nelson Mandela so beautifully said, “Action without vision is only
passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming. But
vision with action can change the world.” Our founders did create
a world-class association that now has the highest qualified image professionals in the world. Cecilia Stoeckicht did reignite our
enthusiasm for conference. Riet de Vlieger has opened up our
world-class certification program to over 3000 students, and I will
see our Authentic Beauty unCompromised program launched on
International Image Consultants Day on November 23, 2015. It all
started with a vision.
There is an abundance of vision to be shared with us all in the
pages of this edition of our global magazine. May the words within
ignite a new vision within all of us as we each have the ability to
change the world.

SINCERELY,
JANE

–NELSON MANDELA
The Association of Image Consultants International | 7

BUSINESS

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR

BECOMING REAL
BY SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI FLC

“That’s what real love amounts to — letting a person be what he
really is. Most people love you for who you pretend to be. To keep
their love, you keep pretending — performing. You get to love your
pretense. It’s true, we’re locked in an image, an act — and the sad
thing is, people get so used to their image, they grow attached to
their masks. They love their chains. They forget all about who they
really are.”—JIM MORRISON

Sue Donnelly, AICI CIP, challenged
us to re-imagine our work and the
way we do it. They prompted us to

STRATEGY ONE:
TELL YOUR STORY.
Own it. Your power lies in your
ability to be real. When you reveal
yourself, other people will start to
recognize themselves in your stories.

throw away “the rules” and “dress
outside the box.” In a presentation
rich with detail, they offered five
strategies to put into practice in our
businesses and in our lives.
8 | October 2015 magazine

STRATEGY TWO: FIND OUT
WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT.
The “WHY” of why you’re doing
what you’re doing is what will

shape the “what” and the “how.”
As Donnelly put it, “Sometimes you
get stuck in the mud and you don’t
know what’s important. People will
tell you ‘You need some M&Ms,’ or
‘You need OREO cookies because
OREO cookies will give you the
boost you need on your website.’ Or
‘Rice milk. It’s the in thing. It’s the
thing of the future.’ Or ‘Celery. How
can you go wrong with something

that’s been around forever?’ But
nobody knows what you stand
for. If your Why was concentrated
on health, would you buy all these
products? No. Fill your basket based
on your Why. This saves you money,
time, clarity. And it attracts the
right clients because you share the
same values.”
Think about what you might stop
doing. Think about all the things
you do now to promote your
business (networking, webinars,
blogging, etc.) and make a list of
the ones that don’t inspire you.
Take them out of your “basket.”
Brummitt and Donnelly stress that
everything you do should fill you
with passion. If you dread networking, you shouldn’t be doing that. If
you’re not a good writer, why are
you trying to do that?
STRATEGY THREE:
RAISE YOUR VIBRATION!
The core principle in this strategy is
that we need to be inspired ourselves in order to inspire others. We
can increase our inspiration level by
paying attention to both our internal and external environments:
• Your Working Environment.
Clutter keeps you stuck.
• Your Companions. Be discerning
about the people you come into
contact with. Ditch the “drains,”
people who suck you dry.

“Are you wearing it
because you love it,
or because it sticks
with the rules you
were taught?”

• Your Personal Presentation. You
need to think about the clothes
that you wear and be inspired,
filled with joy and possibility.
“We can dress too much by the
rules. This is a dictated way of
living that is not empowering.
Celebrate how [your clients] look,
and challenge a few more rules. We
need to open our experiences to
see why people are doing what they
are doing,” Donnelly cautioned.
Donnelly shared a story of a client
she had early in her practice. The
client was a redhead with warm
coloring, and she arrived wearing
pastel pink. “I just love this color,”
the client told her. Donnelly explained that pink was not the most
flattering color for the client, and
dressed her in colors “appropriate”
to her coloration. “I thought I’d
done my job,” Donnelly recounted,
“but I did that client a disservice. I
should have found out why that
pink was so important to her.”

“Who looks outside,
dreams; who looks
inside, awakes.”
—C.G. JUNG
Brummitt stressed, “What we do is
huge. We transform people’s lives.
We are not a fluffy ‘nice to have.’ We
need to go into our work with a big,
big WHY. Get the deepest connection with your clients. So ask yourself, ‘how can I make the deepest
connection with my clients today?’”
STRATEGY FOUR:
FIND YOUR ZONE OF GENIUS.

your zone, the day just whizzes by.
To find our own personal zone, we
need to go within. We need to create
space to have conversations with
ourselves where we ask the questions and can listen to the answers.
For Donnelly, journaling helps her
find those answers. “I get it out,” she
says, so she can “let it in.” Your intuition, Brummitt adds, is intimately
connected to your body. Pay attention to your gut instinct.

“Standing still is the
fastest way of moving backwards in
a rapidly changing
world.”—LAUREN BACALL
STRATEGY FIVE:
NEVER STAND STILL
Keep moving forward, holding
before you your higher purpose,
your vision. Your personal calling
is as unique to you as your personal
fingerprint. Brummitt and Donnelly
closed the conference with a rallying
cry, “Figure out what you love,
then find a way to serve others
with what you love to do.”

SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI
FLC, is an independent image
consultant based in Seattle,
Washington. She serves as
editor in chief for AICI Global,
and is currently writing a
book exploring the intersection of values, identity and
personal style.

Finding your zone of genius will re—SUE DONNELLY plenish your passion. When you’re in
The Association of Image Consultants International | 9

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atrick Chun is a man with a vision. “The writing
is on the wall. Image consultants will be at the
forefront of the next wave of company success.
Companies that are forward-thinking will realize this.
It will be the softest of the soft skills — civility, group
communications and business ethics — that will make
all the difference in company performance.”
Chun believes the image industry should be prepared
to take a leading role. He cites a recent study conducted by the Annenberg School of Communication
and Journalism at the University of Southern California
(FORTUNE, June 10, 2015) that concluded that developing cultural competence and empathy across all levels
of their organization were among the top priorities of
C-suite executives.
This is why he has developed the nonprofit Institute of
Image Training and Testing International, IITTI (pronounced “ET”). For Chun, people skills are paramount.
“I came from the ranks of engineering, in hi-tech. It’s a
very different culture. Management can be very insensitive. I remember, this was way back in the mid-80s,
when a co-worker just came into the office one day,
after years at that company, and turned his desk upside
down, and then left. I was right there. People were re-

“The thing is, technology
may have changed, but fundamentally we are still
human beings.”
ally moved, shocked. He was a nice person, very steady.
And then one day, he couldn’t take it. The frustration
overwhelmed him. The thing is, technology may have
changed, but fundamentally we are still human beings.
That hasn’t changed.”
Considering his 20+ years running his own highly
successful software company, one might think Patrick
Chun was the last person to spearhead an initiative that
stresses the importance of “soft skills,” the “B” (behavior) and “C” (communication) of image, to the future
success of companies worldwide. But he is convinced
by his own experience. “My company, Greenwood
Canada, had a very low attrition rate. That was because
of our company culture. People weren’t ‘plug and play.’
Programmers signed off on each piece of code with
their name. …The Fortune 500 companies are winning
because of their long history of corporate culture. Soft
The Association of Image Consultants International | 11

“Someday soon, there will be a CPO in every company. A Chief
People Officer. … Image consultants won’t be coming in for
a one-time training on appearance. These will be long-term
positions or partnerships with the corporation.”
skills are not a sideshow, not a ‘nice to have.’ Soft skills
are directly tied to the bottom line.”
How important are soft skills to the success of a company? Chun provides a standout example with the
online company, Zappos.com. “They went from zero to
over a billion dollars in revenue in ten years – a blink of
an eye. How did they do that? By a commitment to the
company culture and brand values. Zappos understands
they are a customer-service company. You know how
they hire people? They give them seven weeks of paid
training. Seven weeks! That’s kind of unheard of these
days. And then, at the end of that training, they tell
them, ‘If you don’t want to work here, we’ll pay you not
to.’ Because they don’t want money to be the reason
people hire on. Zappos understands that people who
don’t believe in the culture will hurt the bottom line.”
And what is Zappos’ tagline, a company only made possible by the evolution of internet technology? Powered
by service®. (For a more detailed look at Zappos, see
the post at Corporate Culture Revolution.)
Chun pays attention to soft skills at home, too. His
two daughters, a 6th grader and a sophomore in high
school, just like many youth today, interact with their
smartphones a lot. “I don’t like it, how it tends to take
over. I encourage them to think independently. Our
youth are constantly bombarded by messages, some
almost subliminal.” He knows what works for his family
in terms of “unplugging” and having real-time conversations: “I take them camping in places where there
is no WiFi. The week before the AICI Conference we
went camping and swimming near Whistler. It’s our
tradition to go camping every summer. We have a great
time.” The best place to get away from it all? Out in the
middle of nowhere, with no cell service!
12 | October 2015 magazine

According to Chun, the image industry will be the
next big thing in providing companies with a competitive advantage. “Someday soon, there will be a CPO in
every company. A Chief People Officer. This person will
provide a synthesis of HR [human resources] and image
skills. Right now HR is a second-class citizen. That will
change. The CPO will be someone, either an internal position or an outsourced consultant who will, for instance,
go to all the important meetings and listen, not to the
content of the meeting, but the feel of the meeting. Body
language. Interactions. Non-verbal cues. How people
are feeling after the meeting.” Image professionals will
become the go-to experts in this arena, and their skill set
will expand and deepen to encompass aspects such as
business ethics and group communications. “Image consultants won’t be coming in for a one-time training on
appearance. These will be long-term positions or partnerships with the corporation.”

For more information on how IITTI.org can
partner with image consultants, visit the
Education resources on the AICI website.
By the end of the year, Chun plans to offer
a series of videos and white papers that can
be used by AICI members to educate and
engage corporate decision makers.

SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI FLC, is an independent
image consultant based in Seattle, Washington. She
serves as editor in chief for AICI Global, and is currently writing a book exploring the intersection of
values, identity and personal style.

MASTER INSIGHTS

SO YOU’RE HAVING

AN EMPLOYEE
PRESENTATION
PROBLEM?
BY CHRISTINA ONG, AICI CIM

CHRISTINA ONG, an AICI Certified Image Master, is the founder of Imageworks, a leading
corporate image consultancy firm based in Singapore, with a 20-year track record of empowering
global brands like Bally, Mercedes, and Citibank for corporate excellence, through her signature
Branding Through People® progwrams. She is a sought-after speaker, educator and thought leader
in the field, with interviews on radio and TV as well as print media, including Harpers Bazaar,
Women’s Weekly, Style, Straits Times and South China Morning Post.

W

hen was the last time you
walked into a retail outlet, restaurant or office,
only to be turned off by a carelessly
dressed, untrained or disengaged
member of staff? Disappointing, to
say the least.
Is this also happening to customers
in your business? Chances are you
never really know. Research shows
that customers simply take business
elsewhere. Worse still, they may
complain on social media!
Inconsistent service not only
impacts bottom line profits today,
it erodes the company’s future
business. And the problem is even
bigger. Not only do front-line teams
14 | October 2015 magazine

fail to deliver the brand’s promise,
the same is true all the way up the
corporate ladder to leaders.

“brand-worthy?” Would they stand
up to being put on a billboard with
your brand’s name as the author?

While managers may think the
problem lies in who HR is hiring,
how they’re interviewing prospects,
or even internal training strategies,
the problem is often rooted deeper.

2. Do employee training, benefits
and advancement opportunities
epitomize the brand’s qualities?
Does the company treat its employees the way it wants its customers
to be treated? Are they missing a
key brand message like excellence,
respect, fun or safety?

To consistently deliver brand
experiences that keep customers
coming back for more, start by
observing and asking three crucial
questions before suggesting ad hoc
“image” improvements to front-line
employees:
1. Are the company’s internal emails,
memos and oral communications

3. Finally, does management believe
in the brand promise? How do they
demonstrate their commitment to
this in the appearance, behavior
and communication of employees
representing the brand throughout
the ranks of the organization?

“The [image training] program we have is tailored to our needs
and represents what we stand for, aligning with our brand
and the way we do business. It has captured our essence
and helped us to create customer-driven employees not only
through how they dress, but how they represent our business
and most importantly themselves.”
– HEAD OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT,
ANZ SINGAPORE

If any of these three questions
resulted in a “no” or “maybe not,”
then the problem doesn’t begin
and end with your customer-facing
employees. That is simply where
it’s showing up today because the
branding through your people
process has failed.
An expert image consultant is
someone who can help leaders
in this corporate dilemma. They
are equipped to identify where and
how to remedy the root causes of
a brand culture that sprouts issues
in morale, customer service and
public relations.
HERE IS WHAT TO SEEK OUT
WHEN ENGAGING AN IMAGE CONSULTANT BEST SUITED TO YOUR
ORGANIZATION’S NEEDS:
1. INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE,
LOCAL RELEVANCE
While the world has become a
global marketplace, an image consultant with firsthand experience
of the region and culture where

your business operates brings
richer insights that will make all
the difference. Local relevance impacts change because it brings to
life what matters to people, such as
specific values attached to service
excellence.
2. ACCREDITATION
Excellence is best measured
through industry benchmarking.
Inquire about the consultant’s
credentials with professional bodies
such as the Association of Image
Consultants International (AICI).
The resource directory on AICI’s
website will also help you locate
professionally certified image
consultants in your area.
3. PROVEN PROCESS
Every brand is unique. That’s why
leading image consultants work
with their clients in close partnership to ensure sustainable results
over time—from customizing their
proven branding process around

your organization to fostering team
engagement, delivering solutions
and engaging in post-training
follow-up measures.
Following these guidelines, organizations can launch an image
management program with clear
internal objectives. Your people
can turn every service touch point
into an opportunity to build a brand
culture of excellence. Bridging the
gap between lofty corporate brand
promises and tangible service excellence through your people adds the
polish that builds profits.
To learn more about how image
consulting can revitalize your organization’s corporate culture and
breathe life into every customer
brand encounter, visit www.aici.org.
You can also invite your team to
attempt an image and etiquette quiz
at www.iitti.org.

The Association of Image Consultants International | 15

MASTER INSIGHTS

TEN
TOP TIPS
FROM AN
INTERNATIONAL
RECRUITER
BY CHRISTINE GREENEISEN

CHRISTINE GREENEISEN is the founder and president of Search Plus International, serving corporate
clients in the automotive, aerospace, biomedical and high tech industries. Here she offers insights from
her 30+ years in recruiting on how hiring managers can improve the interview process so they attract and
employ the best candidates.

When confirming the interview appointment, include the appropriate dress
code for that interview.
Why? Different venues, industries or even
days of the week can make a difference as
to what dress is appropriate.

As the Interviewer, you are the
face of the organization. How
you dress, communicate
and conduct yourself sets the
tone and plays a major factor in
recruiting best talent.

16 | October 2015 magazine

Make sure you review the candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
resumes ahead of time, making notes on
their resumes pertaining to questions you may
have. This sends a signal to candidates as to
the importance and seriousness of filling the
position with the right person.

Be prompt. There may be time constraints (flights,
other scheduled interviewer participants, etc.). If
you find you are running late or have an unexpected
conflict, have another member of your interview
team exchange her/his time slot with you. Or have a
company representative take the candidate to another
room (conference room, etc.), offering refreshments and company
materials with an apology for the delay.

Remember that the candidates are interviewing
you as much as you are interviewing them! Treat
them as a guest with a friendly smile and in a professional, courteous manner. Even if the candidate does not
fit the role, you want them to go away thinking, “What a
great company, I would like to work there.” Candidates
talk. They can be your best advertising tool, or not.
Most candidates are a little apprehensive or
nervous at first, so take this opportunity to put
them at ease. Ask them about their drive/
flight to the company, give them an overview of
the company/position, begin the interview by
asking about the candidate’s first employer.

Be a good listener. When
asking questions, don’t lead
the answers – pause and allow them to answer.

Be current on the legality of questions you can
ask.

Keep the interview on track! Going
off the subject matter or too much storytelling will weaken your ability to assess
the person’s abilities and cut into other
participants’ scheduled time.

In concluding the interview, thank them for
coming in, offer a strong handshake and walk
them to the exit or the next interviewer’s
office. (And be sure to show them where the
restrooms are located.)

The Association of Image Consultants International | 17

MASTER INSIGHTS

ENSURE YOUR

INTERVIEW
SUCCESS

BY ANNA SOO WILDERMUTH, AICI CIM
WRITTEN BY THEA WOOD, AICI FLC

P

repping for an in-person interview can be
overwhelming. With technology, it’s even more
difficult because companies can now research
YOU online before the interview.
ENSURE THAT THE FIRST IMPRESSION YOU GIVE
IS YOU AT YOUR BEST:
DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Educate yourself about the
work and the culture of the company. There is a lot of
information available online. Read press releases, and
search for photos and articles.
OPTIMIZE YOUR ONLINE “BRAND.” Make sure your
online presence matches who you are at your best,
not your complaints about the world or your colorful
social life!

ANNA SOO WILDERMUTH, an AICI Certified
Image Master, is president and founder of
Personal Images, Inc., specializing in helping
corporations and individuals project an executive
presence that conveys confidence and success
in business and social settings. She served as
International President for AICI, 2003-2005, and
in 2008 received AICI’s Award of Excellence. She
is also the co-author of CHANGE ONE THING:
Discover What’s Holding You Back and Fix It with
the Secrets of a Top Executive Image Coach.

18 | October 2015 magazine

DRESS APPROPRIATELY. You might go by the building and see how everyone is dressing as they leave
the building after work. Or ask your company contact
what they expect for interview attire.
WEARING A JACKET IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.
This applies to both women and men. Outside of
North America, this will be a full suit for men and a
skirt suit for women. Particular to the United States
and Canada, if it is a very casual and relaxed organization, men may wear a jacket with a companion pair of
pants and women can pair a skirt, dress, or pants with
a jacket.
MIND THE DETAILS. Men, wear a tie. Women, avoid a
low-cut neckline. Jewelry must not be distracting.
GROOMING IS CRITICAL. Make sure your clothing is
in the best of condition, immaculate and well-fitting.
Hairstyles should be conservative, and for men, no
facial hair (unless you are interviewing in an art or
technology field). Downplay makeup for women. And
universally, wear a minimum of scented products
(cologne, after-shave, etc.).
CONNECT. Offer a smile and a solid handshake, and
introduce yourself with direct eye contact: “Hello, I’m
Jane Doe. I’m so pleased to meet you.”

IMAGE UPGRADE YIELDS
BIG RETURNS
“‘Karen’ came to me through a client referral.
Karen is a personal banker who handles individuals with $3 to $4 million portfolios. She
worked in a Chicago suburb and transferred to
the downtown location under a new manager.
The new manager was not happy with her
appearance or how she interacted with senior
leadership. Karen and I worked on all image
related issues, from hair to clothing, facial
expressions and body language. She also took
an assessment to determine her communication style and help her navigate styles different
from hers. “
Karen and I worked together for about 20
hours. The change was dramatic. Everyone
was pleased, and Karen’s career soared. At
a lunch I hosted for Karen and her business
coach one year later, I found out she was the
year’s top producer (the year previous she had
been about to be fired). “

DURING YOUR INTERVIEW:
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. What is your goal in applying for this position? How does this position match
who you are and what you want to achieve?
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER. Increasing revenues, managing large projects to completion, solving
marketing problems, etc.
SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE. Match the interviewer’s
choice of words.
AFFIRM YOUR INTEREST. Ask if you can follow up
with a call or email within a specific timeframe.
AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW:
ALWAYS SEND A THANK YOU NOTE IMMEDIATELY.
A handwritten note is best if possible. However, if you
have poor handwriting, type the note, and sign it by
hand. (If the company first contacted you by email, an
emailed thank you may be appropriate.)

THEA WOOD, AICI FLC, MBA, is an independent image consultant based in Austin, Texas,
and serves as associate editor for AICI Global.
She is the co-author of Socially Smart and
Savvy

n the past few years, we have
seen a gradual shift in the media
as to how people are portrayed.
Dove launched its Real Beauty
campaign, Macy’s has started to use
curvier models in their catalogues,
and cosmetic companies are using
the mature woman as their face of
a product.
I admire and support this change in
the media. But as an image professional I can also recognize that as
much as the media may put this
more diverse woman in front of the
camera, they are not the ones who
actually work with real people on a
daily basis. They are not the ones
who stand in front of a mirror with
a woman who has lost her confidence because of what she sees in
the reflection, or the teenager who
thinks she sees something ugly, or
the gentleman who has lost his selfesteem—all because the media has
convinced them that their reflection
is not one of beauty.

It is we, image professionals, who
pick up the pieces and take our
clients by the hand, leading them
to see themselves differently. It is
the combination of our expertise
in understanding body shapes and
proportions, our ability to identify
style personalities, and our capacity to combine all of this with
every client’s unique lifestyle that
makes us experts in expressing
true beauty—the unique beauty of
the individual.Ours is the field of
Authentic Beauty unCompromised.
There is no one more qualified than
The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) to become the voice of Authentic Beauty
unCompromised as AICI represents
the highest qualified image professionals in the world. The purpose of the AICI Authentic Beauty
unCompromised initiative is to use
our global influence to promote
projects, products, and messages
that reflect that every person—no

“In 2012, Plunkett Research
reported that the average
American woman is a size
14, and plus-sizes, often
classified as 14 to 34, account for 67 percent of the
population. A survey of over
5,000 U.S. women by online
retailer ModCloth found
that “more U.S. women
report wearing a size 16
dress than a size 2 and 0
combined,” and “57 percent
of U.S. women wear at least
some clothing in sizes 16
and above.”

The Association of Image Consultants International | 21

matter their shape, size, sex, creed,
or color—is beautiful.
AICI will officially launch the
Authentic Beauty unCompromised
campaign on International Image
Consultants Day, November
23, 2015. At the AICI Global
Conference in Washington, D.C.,
this August, our own Catherine
Schuller, AICI CIP, gave an inspiring
presentation of one of the first

22 | October 2015 magazine

projects AICI will be championing:
the “Design A Dress” competition.
This project will challenge young
designers to create a runway-ready
dress, designed from concept to
runway, to fit and flatter women as
they really are.
AICI will seek out initiatives that
cultivate an inclusive environment in the world of fashion. AICI
recognizes the importance of our

collective, global voice and our key
role in shaping this goal. With one
voice, AICI will champion authentic
beauty for all.
JANE SEAMAN, AICI CIP, is the
founder of Imagine Image Consultancy and co-founder of The
International Image Academy
(TIIA). She serves as International
President of AICI.

T

he innovative company
Alvanon, specializing
in scanning technology to
improve garment fit for the
fashion industry, has now
developed a dress form
based on thousands of
scans of women and proportioned for sizes 16 and
above. This will provide
designers with a key tool
that allows them to design
specifically for the larger
figure.
“I thought the research
behind the forms into body
shapes was very interesting. The forms have the
women’s curves in all the
right places, and the way
the garments fall on this
form is very close to how
they would fall on a real
body.”
—CARLA WOIDT, TEMPERLEY,
ALVANON CLIENT

DIVERSITY CHAMPIONED
ON THE RUNWAY
“Only 5% of all designs are created
with plus size in mind.”
—CATHERINE SCHULLER, AICI CIP

F

ormerly a plus-size model for Ford and editor at plus-size magazine Mode, Catherine Schuller, AICI CIP, has been an outspoken advocate of plus-size fashion. But she doesn’t intend to
stop there. Schuller’s goal is to create an inclusive fashion environment for all. “Everyone from toddlers to trannies! We started with
plus, we’re now going for embracing diversity.”
And the fashion shows and media are paying attention.
Executive Editor and Co-Founder of NYFW Plus, (September
9-13, 2015) Brandee Joyner, told Manik Mag, a lifestyle magazine
for the curvaceous woman, “It’s time for plus-size fashion to be
mainstreamed. There’s no reason why more plus-size celebrities
shouldn’t be rocking the latest from plus-size designers.”
Even the ultimate New York media insider, The New Yorker, exhibits an evolving attitude. “For anyone accustomed to navigating
the anxious crowds at uptown Fashion Week, Full Figured Fashion
Week can feel like passing from a land of famine into one of plenty.
The guests are more racially diverse—there were plenty of white
people, but much of the crowd was African-American and Latino—
and they come in every shape and size: short women with slim
waists and enormous breasts, tall women with narrow shoulders
and thick torsos, round women, pear-shaped women, and a few
mesmerized men. The atmosphere is celebratory, rather than cutthroat.” (The New Yorker, Sept 22, 2014, “The Plus Side” by Lizzie
Widdicombe)

“I’m making it so that everyday
fashion shows just treat the runway
as a metaphor for life.”
—CATHERINE SCHULLER,
ABBEYPOST, MARCH 2015

I see AICI growing stronger via more international members and chapters, giving AICI a stronger
global perspective. — HELENA CHENN, AICI CIM

I would like AICI to continue developing a high level of ethics for image consultants. I want AICI to
inspire the next generation to have high values and to be seen with respect while changing the lives
of others. ­— ROSSY GARBBEZ, AICI CIM
AICI will offer easier, affordable access to high-level education through the use of technology
worldwide. Members will achieve higher levels of certification to strengthen their position in the
industry and in the minds of consumers. Membership will grow through alliances with academic
partners, and strong connections made at international conferences will encourage strategic
partnerships. — MARION GELLATLY, AICI CIM

AICI will build success at the brand level, without losing the human connection. Members will be
stakeholders in a resourceful and valuable community of image professionals who appreciate the value
of the important work that they do. ­— DOMINIQUE ISBECQUE, AICI CIP, FOUNDER
AICI will evolve image consulting to embrace self-esteem, assessments, personal development,
public relations, marketing concerns and much more. I foresee CEOs seeing the value of what has
been “missing” throughout their companies and seeking us out. The statistics continue to show that
reputations are often built on the basis of a three-second first impression. — DR. JOYCE KNUDSEN,
AICI CIM

I believe the international front is incredibly important and we need to include countries like Italy and
France. It’s vital that AICI grow and expand through Europe, Asia and Africa. ­— EVA KOECK-ERIPEK,
AICI CIM

AICI will experience many changes. Electronics will continue to grow in the running of AICI, as well
as in consultants’ businesses. Electronics, however, are somewhat impersonal, and I am concerned
about the loss of personal service, the one-on-one consultation. Speaking to one’s client face to face is
so important. — CORALYN LUNDELL, AICI CIP, FOUNDER
24 | October 2015 magazine

What I see next is the way image is being accepted in the corporate world. And now we even have
the ability with IITTI to assess and measure soft skills. AICI will grow and expand through the young
people, through the colleges that are coming on board. Image consulting is basically going to explode
in the world. ­— LYNNE MARKS, AICI CIM

AICI will be in universities in every country that has a global presence. AICI image consultants will
soon have a fundamental role in many fields, such as professional presence and personal image
therapy. They will serve on retainer or as a permanent position in corporations, as well as being the
go-to consultants for retailers. — CARLA MATHIS, AICI CIM

For more business opportunities to image consultants, we should offer AICI members more
educational opportunities and information directly connected to business. By doing this, AICI’s
reputation and influence will be enhanced globally. ­— HITOMI K. OHMORI, AICI CIM

Information and the exchange of new ideas are rapidly coming from the emerging economies and
the developing markets. I envision AICI being far more global, possibly decentralized, as we adapt to
a wider arena of thought leaders. This will help image consultants be relevant in meeting the diverse
needs of a wider clientele. AICI will also play a larger role in helping its members tap into growth
opportunities in the global marketplace. — CHRISTINA ONG, AICI CIM

My hope for the future of our industry is that people will think of image consultants like they do an
accountant, interior designer or business coach. But the only way that will happen is if we, as an
industry, grow together collaboratively. ­— JENNIFER PARKINSON, AICI CIP, FOUNDER

I am so impressed by what I’ve heard here at Conference so far. The vibrancy, the expansion, the
direction that we’re going. I love the inclusiveness and diversity: size, race, culture and age. This is
the direction I’d like to see AICI continue in the next decade. — ALYCE PARSONS, AICI CIP, FOUNDER

AICI has a bright future if we will respond to the needs of the people and the countries with regard
to what we have to share and teach. We must be recognized for providing the most accurate image
information on all related topics. ­— JUDITH RASBAND, AICI CIM

I see AICI becoming predominantly international because certification is a high priority in the
international world. Hopefully we will have 10,000 members in ten years. Then we will have lots of
interest in our services. The biggest challenge is marketing our industry throughout the world. As
entrepreneurs we need to join forces as a large group to invest in a major marketing campaign.
— ELAINE STOLTZ, AICI CIM

Over the next decade I envision a strong, fiscally sound association with a growing membership.
While not forgetting we are a U.S.-based organization, it is important to grow our global presence and
strengthen our certification program. ­— ANNA SOO WILDERMUTH, AICI CIM
The Association of Image Consultants International | 25

niversity students around the world who are
pursuing careers in image consulting will be
able to enjoy AICI benefits with a membership
designed especially for them.
On August 29, during the gala dinner of the 2015
AICI Global Conference in Washington, D.C., the new
academic membership was formally introduced.
This alliance, founded on AICI international standards,
marks a significant milestone in guaranteeing the
expertise and credentials of image professionals.
Through this new affiliation, thousands of future
image consultants will be able to take an active role in
AICI, allowing them to have access to the most current
knowledge and innovations in the image industry.
AICI President Jane Seaman, AICI CIP, stated that
during the last 25 years, AICI has strived to develop,
establish, and implement the highest certification
levels in the image profession, and she added that
the academic membership is a way of opening
new opportunities for future professionals in the

image industry, providing educational programs and
certification that will promote the vision of AICI.
“The idea of bringing students into the International
Association of Image Consultants was born of the need
to strengthen the educational standards with which a
graduate enters the professional field. Through a series
of steps, the student will have an opportunity to learn
and interact with experts of international stature,”
explained Manolo Trujillo, Coordinator of the Degree
in Executive and Corporate Image of La Universidad
Franco Inglés.
Hildeberto Martínez, Vice Chancellor of La Universidad
Valle Continental Monterrey, added that the academic
membership constitutes a great opportunity because it
establishes a direct link from university studies to AICI:
“For our students it means access to quality education,
and for our teaching team it becomes a solid framework
of fundamental competencies for the image profession.”
LILIANA LUNA is the current VP Ethics and
Protocol, AICI Mexico City Chapter.
The Association of Image Consultants International | 27

nly a few times in life do you have the
opportunity to learn so much in such a short
time. This was the case at the AICI International
Conference. First because of the knowledge and
experiences shared by attendees from around the
world, but even more important, due to the example of
simplicity, humility and wisdom about life displayed by
the team who led this event.
I met people who have achieved remarkable success
and are recognized as gurus in their respective
markets, However, they have not let success and fame
distract them from their primary mission: to GIVE.
They give people the tools and guidance to improve
their image, helping them to become better people
and professionals, and to project an image in perfect
harmony with their values and goals.
I returned to Perú with the unique feeling of having
great new friends from around the world, and I look
forward to welcoming you, should you visit.

VANESSA SIMONETTI left the corporate sector to become an independent image consultant based in Lima, Peru.
Since 2014 she has promoted IITTI standards and certification for professionals, organizing corporate training and
workshops for personal image management.
28 | October 2015 magazine

BY CAROLINA D. TAN, AICI FLC

270

PARTICIPANTS FROM 32
COUNTRIES: this is a united nations
conference of image professionals!
For me the warm welcome began days before the
conference formally opened. As I was exploring
the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, I was
greeted by the President of the AICI Washington D.C.
Chapter, the beautiful Cindy Ann Peterson, AICI FLC.
The next two days we toured the US Capitol and
then explored the National Gallery of Art with Carla
Mathis, AICI CIM, co-author of the image industry
classic, The Triumph of Individual Style. I enjoyed
meeting new friends, some of whom I was already
connected with online.
Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner opened the conference with
a presentation that was inspiring and that challenged
“fast-fashion.”

Howard Roberts’ animated and entertaining delivery
of his “Brand Your Inspiration to Create Your Own
Brand” used the entertainer Madonna as an example
of a music icon who has sustained the magic for
decades by having a strong brand.
I was asked to participate in the “AICI Walks the
Runway” fashion show, a new event at the conference.
Being a former model helped boost my confidence!
It was fantastic to wear the original creation of one
of AICI’s talented designers, Delby Bragais, AICI CIP,
whose Spring/Summer 2016 Collection was to be
showcased at the inaugural Style Fashion Week in
New York City on September 10.
The CIM Round Table discussions inspired us as we
moved from table to table absorbing a rapid flow
of valuable information. Thank you to all of our
Certified Image Masters and Founders as they shared
generously from the heart.

The Association of Image Consultants International | 29

The evening gala was a real showcase of
achievements, elegance, beauty, and dancing.
Lastly, if you think for a moment that momentum
slowed on the last day, you’re wrong: the four-hour
session with Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIM, was powerful!
I emerged committed to reviewing, analyzing, and
applying her principles in my consulting business.
Sarah Brummitt, AICI CIP, and Sue Donnelly, AICI CIP,
brought the conference to a brilliant close with their
thought-provoking “Inspiring Change: Making Over
the Image Industry.” We were asked to clarify the
“why” in our image business instead of just the “how”
and “what.”

So why is the AICI Global Conference worth the
cost and 37 hours of flying from Manila to attend the
conference? That’s easy to answer:
•
•
•
•
•

Friendships
Professional learning at the highest level
Valuable collaborations
The certification advantage
T
he in-person experience of seeing, feeling,
being with, and believing in each other and what
we do.

I’m truly proud to be part of AICI.

CAROLINA D. TAN, AICI FLC, is the founder and president of Enhance Your Image Training Consultancy. A
former model and television host, she is also an alumna of John Robert Powers International and has been
its active consultant at the school for 16 years. She was recognized at the AICI Conference Awards Night for
achieving her FLC certification in 2015.

BY GIULIA SAMMARCO

T

he first time I heard about AICI was from a dear
friend of mine, Martha Risco, who had been a
member of the Association for several years by
this time.
As a clinical psychologist with an MBA and a banking
and finance background, I started working as an image
consultant almost by chance. Corporations, both
Peruvian and international, began asking me to speak
about protocol, etiquette, and human relationships
from a psychological perspective. So it was through
their books and articles that I first became acquainted
with some AICI members.
Realizing the importance of certification and talking
with Martha, I came to the conclusion that becoming
an AICI certified member was the best way to grow as
a professional image consultant.
When we learned that this year’s conference was
in Washington, D.C., and AICI would be celebrating

its 25th anniversary, it took us less than a minute to
decide we had to be a part of it!
It turned out to be everything we expected it to
be! We had a chance to meet and share time and
experiences with the BEST image professionals. I had
the opportunity to sit and talk with masters Carla
Mathis, AICI CIM, Judith Rasband, AICI CIM, Elaine
Stoltz, AICI CIM, and Dr. Joyce Knudsen, AICI CIM.
The AICI principles of being open, generous, and
helping each other in everything we might need
definitely proved to be true. When I unfortunately
became ill during the conference and needed a doctor,
I was accompanied by one of our Washington, D.C.,
Chapter hosts, chapter president Cindy Ann Peterson,
AICI FLC. These ladies are so caring!
Attending this conference opened my eyes to the
significant difference we can make in other people’s
lives by helping them explore and express all the
greatness they have inside.

GIULIA SAMMARCO is a senior executive with experience managing institutional and public affairs, corporate image,
communications, corporate social responsibility, and press strategies at an international level in finance, telecom, and
banking. She has a sincere interest in supporting the economic and social development of her homeland, Perú.
The Association of Image Consultants International | 31

his award is named in honor
of the late Jane Segerstrom, an
AICI Houston Chapter and AICI
International Board member, whose
vision and association work set the
foundation of AICI’s international
growth. The Jane Segerstrom Award,
first awarded in 1997, is bestowed
upon a person who has helped to
further our worldwide association/
industry vision.
Sue Donnelly, AICI CIP, became
the sixteenth recipient of the Jane
Segerstrom award for her imaginative
approach to expanding the field
of image consulting. Sue is known
worldwide for her eclectic approach
to style and her commitment
to sharing her experience and
insights with her fellow AICI image
consultants. (See the article on page
8 for a taste of Sue’s creativity, and
watch for an AICI GLOBAL profile in
2016.)

RISING STAR AWARD:
NEHA MALHOTRA

T

he Rising Star Award is given
to a new member who has
achieved accelerated success
as a newcomer to the field.
Neha Malhotra has been featured in
leading newspapers for her active
participation in fashion and lifestyle
events, corporate workshops and
guest lectures. Her workshops in
India have been tailored to diverse
32 | October 2015 magazine

audiences, including corporate
employees, couture clients and
teenage girls. She has leveraged her
public speaking skills to grow her
business reputation. Additionally,
Neha has taken the initiative to
connect with all AICI members
in India and has enlisted their
cooperation to help establish an AICI
chapter there.

THE AICI AWARD OF
EXCELLENCE

A

wards of Excellence are given
to members who, over the
years, have served AICI in a
variety of capacities, demonstrating
outstanding commitment to the
growth and well being of the entire
association. The two recipients this
year have contributed to AICI in
so many ways a brief description
does not do justice to their
accomplishments.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
FOR CONTRIBUTION:
JOANNE RAE, AICI CIP
Joanne Rae came onto the AICI
International Board at a very
challenging time in AICI’s history,
when the administration and
financial viability of the organization
was in peril. Today, AICI is
experiencing a new era, including
a strong management company
relationship, financial stability,
membership growth and a 25th
anniversary conference that is an
incredible celebration of AICI’s
achievements to date. All of this
has been made possible because
of Joanne’s dedication to AICI.
(Read more about Joanne in the

Member Spotlight from the April
2015 issue of AICI GLOBAL.)
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
FOR PARTICIPATION:
JOSEPHINE LUI, AICI CIP
Josephine Lui’s commitment to
AICI has been tireless. The current
President of AICI Malaysia Chapter,
she served on the Board as VP
Education and President Elect from
2010 to 2014, and she was voted
2013 Chapter Member of the Year
by her fellow AICI Malaysia Chapter
members. Josephine has worked
diligently to showcase the presence
of AICI in Malaysia, including her
appearance in 2010 as one of the
six international speakers at the
Business Network International
World Conference
in Malaysia.

BETWEEN US

AICI’S IMMIE BRAVO
AWARD GOES TO

NICKOLAY LAMM
BY SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI FLC

Nickolay Lamm is a visionary in the
truest sense of the word. At age 26,
he has already built a significant
career as an artist and researcher
creating thought-provoking, vividly
designed content on the internet.
One of his passions is a concern
with the negative impact on selfimage of idealized media depictions
of the human form. That led to his
asking this question in 2013: What
if fashion dolls were made using
standard human body proportions?
His project was discussed by
HuffingtonPost, Today, Time, LA

Times, Good Morning America,
CNN, CBS, The Daily Beast and
even Cosmopolitan!

Nickolay Lamm

“I

am, without a doubt, the
worst-dressed person here
tonight.” Nevertheless, the
young man in denim and sneakers
who stepped up to the podium to
accept AICI’s Image Makers Merit
of Industry Excellence Bravo Award
(IMMIE Bravo)* has made an impact
on the development of positive selfimage that will be felt by the entire
image profession over the decades
to come.

Then people started asking,
“Where can we buy these dolls?”
The visionary became an inventor.
On March 5, 2014 Lamm launched
a crowdfunding campaign to
produce dolls with typical human
body proportions. More than 13,621
backers preordered over 19,000
dolls. A mere eight months later,
Lammily was born. A beautiful
“regular” teenager, she now has her
own fans, website and Lammily TV.
Lamm says he created “regular
Barbie” for one reason, “I wanted
to show that average is
beautiful.”
SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI FLC, is
an independent image consultant
based in Seattle, Washington. She
serves as editor in chief for AICI
Global, and is currently writing a
book exploring the intersection of
values, identity and personal style.

* AICI recognizes outstanding contributions
in the field of image by persons or
companies outside the association with the
Image Makers Merit of Industry Excellence
Bravo Award (IMMIE Bravo).

“Some interpreted the crowdfunding campaign slogan “Average
is Beautiful” as a message of aspiring to mediocrity or creating a
new societal standard. However, I see ‘average’ as inclusive of all
of us, not a standard which excludes. I want to show that reality is
beautiful, that life is beautiful, and there should be a line of dolls
which reflects this fact.”—NICKOLAY LAMM, “THE FUTURE OF LAMMILY”
The Association of Image Consultants International | 33

BETWEEN US

AICI CHAPTER AWARDS
CHAPTER AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT

CHAPTER AWARD FOR GROWTH

MEXICO CITY CHAPTER: Exemplary achievements
in certification, chapter growth and new initiatives
to further the vision of AICI, including the launch of
academic membership and their selection as the host
chapter for the 2017 AICI Global Conference.

HONG KONG CHAPTER: Chapter growth, with
membership increasing by almost 200% in one year.
MEXICO CITY CHAPTER: Growth for AICI, through the
implementation of the academic membership initiative.

CHAPTER AWARD FOR CERTIFICATION
MEXICO CITY CHAPTER: Hosting the first FLC Online
Proctor (OLP) group test at a chapter
MALAYSIA CHAPTER: Hosting the pilot FLC Paper
Test in two languages simultaneously

CHAPTER AWARD FOR EDUCATION
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CHAPTER: Consistently
offering a high quality Education Conference, with
members coming from around the world to attend

NEW AWARD DEBUTS AT CONFERENCE:

THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD

R

ecipients of the AICI President’s Award are chosen
at the end of the President’s term and given to
individuals who the President deems to have
made a very special contribution to the development
and growth of AICI. The 2015 recipients of the newly
established award:
DELBY BRAGAIS, AICI CIP for the incredible work
she did on developing and introducing the FLC live
proctor option; introducing the FLC paper exam in
Chinese; and achieving the highest number of FLC test
registrations in any one year in AICI’s history.
RIET DE VLIEGER, AICI CIP for her hard work and
determination in implementing AICI City Circles, a
new chapter rebate policy and being the seed to our
new Academic Membership program. Thanks to all

34 | October 2015 magazine

three of these projects, she has laid the foundations
for considerable growth of AICI membership.
SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, AICI FLC for her hard work
on the AICI GLOBAL magazine. She has raised the
professionalism of the publication to an entirely
new level, resulting in hundreds of thousands of
external hits, attracting new Preferred Partners and
exemplifying AICI’s mission to set and promote the
highest professional standards for image consultants.
MANOLO TRUJILLO for his support and contribution
to the successful launch of the new AICI Academic
Membership project. He has been an incredible
force working behind the scenes to bring this idea to
fruition. Building relationships with universities, he
has helped open the doors to hundreds of students to
be a part of AICI’s educational programs.

AICI GIVES BACK:
THE 2015 PHILANTHROPY AWARDS
2015 AICI CHAPTER
PHILANTHROPY AWARD
AICI Malaysia Chapter donated all
profits from their 3rd Educational
Conference, plus a contribution
from the Chapter, to support
PERKIM, a non-governmental
organization that works to assist
the welfare of patients with
ichthyosis in Malaysia. Icthyosis
is a skin disease that is in most
cases congenital. Victims of the
disease find it difficult to secure
education or employment, due
to discrimination because of
their disfigurement. They are
also unable to work in very hot
environment as they may get heat
stroke due to their skin condition.
There are over 300 patients with
this disease in Malaysia. It is their
hope that Malaysians will come to
accept them as part of the society.

workforce by providing clothing,
coaching and training. During
the Chapter’s “Donation Drive”
in April this year, the Chapter
helped in the collection of suits,
other business-appropriate
apparel, shoes and accessories for
the project.

2015 AICI INDIVIDUAL
PHILANTHROPY AWARD
Sunny Wang Yun, AICI FLC (AICI
Beijing Chapter), is dedicated to
helping children and young people
from vulnerable social groups.
Her philanthropic efforts have

been aimed at promoting their
mental health as well as providing
practical social skills to have a
happy life.
During the past two years Sunny
gave lectures on various occasions
to college students who are from
extraordinarily poor families. She
coached them, individually and as
a group, in how to use dress and
image skills to make a difference
in their lives. As a volunteer in a
local school for deaf and hearingImpaired children, she taught
children’s etiquette, a skill not
normally provided for this special
needs population.

AICI Washington DC Metro
Chapter adopted the Dress
for Success Project, which
helps women get back into the

founder and past president of the
AICI Guadalajara Chapter. She is
also the first AICI member in Latin
America to achieve her Certified
Image Master certification. She has
appeared on Televiso Guadalajara
and written for Suit Magazine,
Negocios, Vanitips, among others.
She is the author of the book,
LOGRA TU MEJOR IMAGEN...
MUJER, published by Editorial
Trillas (2010).

EDITORIAL TEAM
When I put out the call for volunteers to assist with AICI GLOBAL, I had no idea that there
would be so many enthusiastic responses from such highly qualified candidates (including
the magazine’s former Editor in Chief, Thea Wood, AICI FLC). It is with pleasure and
gratitude that I introduce the new members of the AICI GLOBAL Editorial Team. Starting
with this issue, their assistance in producing the magazine is significant. They join me and
our proofreaders, Bernie Burson, AICI FLC, and Beth Strange, AICI CIP.
— SUSAN HESSELGRAVE, EDITOR IN CHIEF
DONNA CAMERON previously worked in film, multimedia, and marketing before
establishing and managing a number of programs in the Australian public sector
to help marginalized people transform their lives through confidence building,
presentation, and employment opportunities. Her initiatives were recognized with two
Prime Minister’s Awards. She established Body Map Wellbeing + Style Strategies in 2012
with her sister, Dr. Nadine Cameron. Donna is also the President of the AICI Melbourne
Chapter in Australia.
SHAUNDA DURHAM is the director of an academic support center that helps develop
students’ public speaking and presenting capabilities and is a communication
instructor in Northern Virginia. She conducts professional development workshops
for students focusing on image, business, and professional communication. Currently
pursuing Image Consultant Certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology,
she plans to open a consulting business specializing in image and professional
development for the diverse college student population.
ZAKIYA MILLS-FRANCOIS is the owner and Managing Director of ZM Image
Consultants Limited based on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. She has
over 10 years of experience in marketing, branding, PR, corporate communications,
crisis communications, protocol, and events management. Zakiya has many publishing
credits to her name, including as a weekly writer for the Consumer Tips Column in the
Trinidad Express and Guardian Newspapers from 2004-2007 and as editor of the quarterly
professional magazines MILLnet (manufacturing) and BG Life (energy). She is certified by
the London Image Institute in Advanced Image Consulting and Professional Development.
STEFANIA ROLANDELLI is the mother of twins who, she says, “have taught me to
watch the world with curiosity.” Born by the sea in Liguria, Italy, she currently lives
in Sasso Marconi, near Bologna. Extensive travelling for her former career in sales
taught her to deal with people of all ages, genders, nationalities, personalities, and
cultures. Stefania decided to explore the world of image because she is fascinated by its
expressive strength and she wanted “to look beyond what I see in order not to judge it,
but to attach a meaning to it.” Origami Image Consulting
38 | October 2015 magazine

JOAN VAN ALLEN brings over 15 years of experience managing technology and
marketing programs in the corporate sector, as well as considerable experience
coordinating corporate, personal, and recreational events to her new career in image
consulting. Currently attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, she
has started her own business, Starlight Total Image. Joan is a food and wine enthusiast
who lives on the Fox River northwest of Chicago, Illinois. She is also a local chapter
president of the National Association of Professional Women.
KATHRYN WINTERLE-ILLO is the founder and president of All Seasons Image
Consultants, LLC, located in Medford Lakes, New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. In addition to image consulting, Kathryn is an attorney with the State
of New Jersey and a sales associate for a retailer of classic women’s apparel. She and
her husband Jim enjoy lakefront living, traveling, and spending time with their two
beautiful grandchildren.
THEA WOOD, AICI FLC, is Austin’s Signature Stylist as well as the co-host of
#Over40Chat on Twitter. She’s also a public speaker and freelance writer who
specializes in image consulting for women over 40 in male-dominated industries. Her
advice has appeared on local television and radio shows in Austin as well as national
media like Fox News Magazine, The Fashion Spot, and RetailMeNot.com. Thea hasn’t
missed an episode of Project Runway in 14 seasons and still dreams of being a rockstar.